Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25546, Elisha Dunham, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn.
Dunham, Elisha Mehitable
W 25546
CONTENTS

16/11/6 Vermont R
Elisha Gurnham of Haven in the state of Vermont who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel M c Hard of the Connecticut line, for the term of One year, 1776.
inscribed on the roll of Vermont at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence the 8 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 of Nov r 1818 and sent to Ezra Hoyt Esq r Middlebury Vt.
Arrears to 4th of Feb y 1819 135.20 all accruing to March 1820 48
$ 183.20
claim, 2

Notification sent Oct r 27 th 1820 to Sam l Swift Middlebury, Vt.

Let to J.C. Strong, 10 Sept 51
4956 New York Albany Mehitable Gurnham and widow of Elisha Con own name who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private Under sum 860 Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 96 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. 1 st of July 1848 Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of Jan'y 1851 and sent to
A. Hubbard Warwick NY Cidg 10 Sept 1849
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 9, 1848, Page 250 Vol. 4

3340
3814
Papers Relative to the Claims of Mahetabel Dunham widow of Elisha Dunham a Revolutionary Pensioner
Marr'd 24 May 1781
Husband died Jan 8 1828
See print upon —
1776 capt. Dama 12 mo
1777 " " — 6 "
Admitted 18
Private
Admitted
Private 18 months
G. V. Vanderpool Esq.
Aurora
County of Erie
New York

State of New York
Erie County ss:
On this Twenty seventh day of October one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight personally appeared before me the undersigned one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said County Mahetabel Sunham a resident of the town of Aurora in said County of Erie aged eighty one years and one month, Who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act passed July 7 th 1838 "Entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows"
That she is the Widow of Elisha Dunham late of the town of Pawlet in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont deceased a Revolutionary pensioner under the act of March 18 th 1818 and that the evidence entitling the said Elisha Dunham deceased to a pension in his life time is now on file in the Pension office of the United States.
She further declares that she was married to the said Elisha Dunham on the twenty fourth day of May seventeen hundred and eighty one. That her husband the said Elisha Dunham died in the month of January one thousand eight hundred & twenty eight the precise day she cannot state.
That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four. So sit at the time herein before stated. That the said Elisha Dunham resided in the town of New Haven and the town of Pawlet in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont during the time he drew his pension and until his death. That the said Elisha Dunham at the time of his service belonged to the Connecticut line of Troops as will appear by the Records of said herein referred to.
Sworn & subscribed before me the day & year above written
Jonathan Root
Mahetabel Dunham

State of New-York ss. } I Jonathan Hoyt Erie County } a Judge of the Pleas of said County do certify that the said Mahetabel Dunham who signed the within declaration is unable to appear and attend in Open Court and in the
STATE OF NEW-YORK, ERIE COUNTY, CLERK'S OFFICE, } ss.
J. Cyrus K Anderson
Clerk of said County certify that Jonathan Hoyt whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed Instrument, and thereon written, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Judge of said County Courts appointed and sworn and duly author- ized to take the same; and further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Judge and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said County, the 10 th day of Nov r A. D. 1835.
C. K. Anderson Clerk
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

State of New York ss. } I Jonathan Vloft Erie County } a Judge of the Pleas of Said County do certify that the said Mahetabel Dunham who Signed the within declaration is unable to appear and attend in open Court and make oath to the same on the account of old age and bodily infirmity
Jonathan Vloft

Int. $96 per annum & 29 former years at $60 per annum Comm. 1 July 1848 & ending 10 Sept 1849, payable to Marvin Denham & Ashe Denham only surviving children
W. Hubbard Norwich N.Y.

State of New York Erie County ss.
On this 22 nd day of October 1850, before me James C. Paul a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared Marvin Dunham of the Town of Aurora in the County of Erie and State of New York who being duly sworn according to law deposes & says that he is a son of Mehetibel Dunham who was widow of his father Elisha Dunham who was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, that his mother was on the roll of the Albany agency at the rate of sixty dollars per annum which amount she received until the time of her death.
That she left only two surviving children, whose names are Marvin Dunham & Askel Dunham and that no administrator of the goods chattels & credits of said Mehetibel Dunham deceased has ever been appointed.
Now the object of this declaration is to assert a claim to an increase of pension or to back pay to which it is believed the said Mehetibel Dunham was entitled and asks whatever she was entitled to under any of the acts & resolutions which are applicable to the case subscribed & sworn before me
this 22 nd day of October 1850 by Marvin Dunham to me known to be the person mentioned in above declaration.
Marvin Dunham
James C. Paul Justice of the Peace in and for Erie County

State of New York, ERIE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.
ss. I, WELLS BROOKS, Clerk of said County, and of the Courts thereof, certify that James L. Paul before whom the annexed affidavit was taken, and whose name is subscribed to the certificate of proof thereof, was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly elected, sworn and acting as such, and authorized to take the same; and further, that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe the signature thereto, to be his genuine signature.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said County and the Courts thereof, this 31 st day of October A. D. 185 0
Wells Brooks
Clerk.

Elisha Parkham.
16146
March 1820 Com
The schedule in this case being mis-laid is the reason it was not sooner forwarded.

STATE OF VERMONT.
COUNTY OF ADDISON, ss.—On this Seventeenth day of June 1820, personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of record (having the power of fine and imprisonment) for the said County Elisha Dunham aged Sixty six years, resident in New Haven in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows:— he enlisted in May 1776 for one year, and served, under that enlistment, for that period, in Colonel Ward's regiment, Capt. Dana's company of the Connecticut line.
that the date of his original declaration is the Eighth day of April 1818, the number of his pension certificate is 16.1246 .
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift sale or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
   1 Horse 25. 5 Old chains 84   1 Old waggon harness 25. 1 Old pine kettle 50   1 Cow 12. 3 Tin milk pans 75   1 Old brass kettle 30 yrs old 2.00 6 Cast iron plates 25   1 Rake 75 6 Tin cups & glasses 30   1 pair dish kettle 75 5 Old knives & forks 25   1 Tea kettle 75 1 Brown earthen pan 12   1 Spider & Bake kettle 1.00 1 D. bowl 6   1 pr. And irons 1.00 1 Tin basin 20   1 pr. Flat irons 25 1 pr pewter basin 12   1 Old Shovel & tongs 75 2 pewter plates 12   1 pr 1 Sickle 1.25 1 Old saddle & bridle 2.00   1 Set Shoemaker's last 1.00 5.41   71.50 Elisha Dunham.  

And the said declarant, on his oath, affirmeth further, that he is by occupation a Shoemaker but has not been able to do much at that business for many years - that through the infirmities of age and severe turns of the rheumatism, he has not been able to labour much in any employment, and has had no means of subsistence but his day labour - that he has no family living with him but his wife aged sixty four years - & she has been so much deranged for ten years, as not to be able to do any business, or take care of the concerns of the family - that her derangement induced him, six years ago to remove from Connecticut to this State, which with medical and Bostoniana, has occasioned him great expense & put it out of his power to submit without public or private charity.
Sworn to & declared on the 17th day of June 1820. Saml Swift Clerk
I, SAMUEL SWIFT, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Addison in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property, exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Sixty six Dollars and 99 Cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 28th day of August 1820.
Saml Swift
Clerk of the County Court for the County of Addison.

Elisha Dunham
April 8
Not on Roll
Connect. line
Col Andrew Ward Am.
May 1776 - 1 yr.
Not on Roll
adm d
Elisha Dunham
Not on Roll Col Andrew Ward Am. May 1776 - 1 yr. Not on Roll

8 th Ap.
Elisha Dunham of New Haven in the county of Addison & State of Vermont late of the State of Connecticut appeared before me Ezra Hloyt one of the Judges of said County with a view of obtaining a pension from his Government under the Act intitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land & Naval Service of the United States in the revolutionary war" passed 10 th March A D 1818 & exhibited the following evidence to establish his claim thereto viz
The said Elisha Dunham deposes & says that in the month of May 1776 he enlisted in the S t State of Connecticut he enlisted for one year into Capt James Dana's Company Col. — Hartford & Genl. Sullivan's Brigade & in the month of May A D 1777 he again enlisted for nine months into said Dana's Company — Col. — Ely's Regt & Genl. — Spencer's Brigade & that he faithfully served his country against the common enemy in America the whole of both terms for which he enlisted & was honourably discharged & his said Discharges were have been for long time lost. — He further says that he then was & has ever since continued to be a citizen of the United States & that in consequence of his reduced circumstances he is in need of a pension from his country Elisha Dunham

State of Vermont } April 8 th 1810 Addison County } ss
The within Affidavit taken then & sworn to before me Ezra Hoyt Judge of
I Ezra Hoyt Judge of the County of Addison do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Elisha Dunham did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy & I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me to the Secretary of War pursuant to the directions of the Act aforesaid. May 12 th  April 8 th 1810.
Ezra Hoyt Judge
State of Vermont } Samuel Swift, Clerk of the County of Addison, do hereby certify that Ezra Hoyt who has made the foregoing certificate before whom the within affidavit was made, was on the day of the date thereof, a Judge of said County Court, and that his name therein subscribed is his own a proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at Middlebury this 12 th day of May A.D. 1818.
Sam l Swift Clerk
And I further certify that the s d Elisha Dunham is a citizen of the United States & is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance applied for — E. Hoyt Judge

State of Connecticut Tolland County Mansfield Town Clerks Office } p
September 26 th 1838
"Elisha Dunham and Mahetabel Royce both of Mansfield were joined in Marriage" on the twenty fourth day of May Seventeen hundred and eighty one
I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows "May 24 th 1781..
Attest Frederick F. Hanks Town Clerk
I Frederick F. Hanks above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the County, Town and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town of Mansfield with the exception above named as certified by me.
Frederick F. Hanks
State of Connecticut } Windham Probate district Windham County }
This may certify that Frederick F. Hanks came before said court on the 26 th day of Sept r 1838 and made solemn oath to the truth of the certificate by him subscribed and further certify that said Hanks is Town Clerk of the Town of Mansfield and the same is his proper signature & is intitled to full credit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name officially and affixed the seal of this court the day and year above written
Calvin Hubbard Judge of Probate

Department of the Interior,  BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
C.
Washington, D. C., October 4, _____, 1893.
Madam:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Flisha Dunham SV 25546 , a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 1776 12 mos, Pvt. James Dana Andrew Ward Conn.   May 1777 9 mos. Pvt. James Dana Fly Conn.   Lost sight of one eye by small pox, in service.  
Battles engaged in, Not stated.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Mansfield, Tolland County, Conn.
Date of application for pension, April 1818.
Residence at date of application, New Haven, Addison County, Vt.
Age at date of application, 64 years and died in Jan. 1828, at Powlet, Vt.
Remarks: Moved to Vermont in 1814. Married May 24, 1781, to Mehitable Royce, who died Sept. 10, 1849, at Aurora, Erie County, New York.
Very respectfully,
M. Lockman
Commissioner.
Miss Grace B. Cross,
Chicago,
Illinois.
No. St. address given
unclaimed

Mil Hist. to Miss Grace B. Cross.
Ray  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 28526
Mehitable Dunham
wid. of
Elisha Dunham
Prin. Rev. war.
Act: Feb 2nd 1848.
Index:—Vol. A , Page 201
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Albany 3814
Mahetabel Dunham widow of Elisha Dunham
who was a pensioner under the Act of March 1818 and who died on the — January 1828 of Erie Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain — of the regt. commanded by Col. Ward in the Connecticut line for 18 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 60 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of August 1839 and sent to G. W. Vanderpool Aurora, Erie Co. N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March '39 180.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. „ 30.00
$ 210.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838.
Recorded by D. Brown Book 1, Vol. 2, Page 74
Clerk,

4004
New York Albany
respectable Dunham, widow of Elisha Dunham who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 60 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Dec. 1843 and sent to
S. L. Gilbert Buffalo N. York
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 4 Vol. 1 Page 117.

Subscribed
Sent instruction under the act of 2 Feb, 48, to Hon N. K. Hall. Jany 12 '48

4932 New York Albany Mehitable Dunham widow of Elisha Dunham who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 60 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of July 1849, and sent to
Babcock & Huelch Buffalo N.Y.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 60. Vol. 4,

Aurora One Co New York Millink P. O. Nov 18/12
Dear Sir
Enclosed I send you papers in a case of Mahalabi Dunham to procure a pension allowed to her as widow of Silas Dunham a deceased Revolutionary Pensioner, which will please examine.
W. L. Burdick (Sp)
Truly yours J. B. Vanderpool

FREE
G. B. Edwards Bonds of Emancipation Washington D. C.

Aurora Erie Co. N.Y. P.O. Station April 3 d 1837
In compliance with the requisition contained in your letter to the Hon. Mr. Fillmore on the 7 th of March last, relative to the claim of Mahitake's Dun- ham (widow of Elisha Dunham, late a Pensioner), I send you the affidavits of Mrs. Dunham, as supplemented to the deposition made by her and recorded on file in the Department.
Respectfully Yours J. W. Vanderpool
Hon. J. S. Calhoun Secy of War

Buffalo Sep 14. 1843
Mr S. S. Edwards
Enclosed is the application of Mehitable Dunham for her certificate which you will Please forward to me if the Papers are made out right and if not you will please write me in what way to make them out and much Oblige yours
David Burl pr A. D. Gilbert

Solomon Royce of Mansfield in Windham county and State of Connecticut do hereby certify and say that I have been well acquainted with Elisha Dunham formerly of said Mansfield now of New Haven Addison county State of Vermont ever since the year 1770 and was well knowing to his enlisting into the United States Service some time in the Month of May or June 1775 under capt James Duna for the term of one year and at the expiration of one year he returned to his friends in said Mansfield the Deponent further saith that he understood by said Dunham after his return from the Army that he had been sick with the small pox and had the disorder very hard and that it affected one of his eyes and that capt Duna's company belonged to col Andrew Ward's Regiment Mansfield October 25 th 1819 - Solomon Royce
Windham county ss. On this day personally appeared Solomon Royce and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed, and I do further certify that the Deponent is well known to me, to be a gentleman of good character for truth, and full faith and credit is to be given to his testimony
Sworn before me
Thomas Gurley justice of peace

Solomon Maye Deposition
To the Hon. David Bolles The deposition of Solomon Maye to be read and improved before some proper judge to establish the claim of Eliza Dunham to a petition from the United States Taken and sealed by me the subscriber Artemas G. Guggenham
I David Bolles Clerk of the County Court, in & for the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut do certify that Artemas Guggenham before whom the within affidavit was made, is duly enrolled as a Justice of the Peace in & for said Windham County, that the within signature is in his hand writing, full faith & credit ought to be given to his acts & say — In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name & thereunto affixed the Publick Seal of said Court, at Windham in said County this 23 rd day of October Anno Domini 1819 David Bolles

Joseph Thompson of co. county in Tolland County state of Connecticut of Law Age Testified and says that sometime in the Month of May or June 1976 he was well acquainted with Eliza Dunham then of Mansfield in Windham County now of New Haven County of Addison State of Vermont and that said Dunham to his knowledge did in the month of May or June in 1976 enlist into the service of the United States under James Dana and did serve in said Dana's company for one year and that said Dana's company was in the Regiment commanded by Col. Andrew Ward the deponent further saith that he was well acquainted with said Dunham while in the Army of the United States and that he said Dunham had the small pox by which disorder he partly lost the sight of one Eye Mansfield October 28 th 1819 Joseph Thompson
Windham County ss. Mansfield October 28 th 1819 personally appeared Joseph Thompson and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed, and I do further certify that the deponent is well known to me, to be a gentleman of good character for truth, and full faith and credit is to be given to his testimony
Sworn Before me
Asahel Gurney Justice

To the Hon ble David Bolles The Deposition of Joseph Thompson to be used and in ymance before some proper judge to establish the claim of Eliza Dutton to a petition from the United States. Taken and sealed up by me the subscriber Artemas Gurney party name
Joseph Thompson Deposition
David Bolles Clerk of the County Court, in & for the County of Windham, in the State of Connecticut. Do certify that Artemas Gurney Esquire, before whom the within affidavit was made, is duly sworn as a Justice of the Peace in & for said Windham County, that the foregoing signature is in his hand writing, full faith & credit ought to be given to his acts as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, & affixed the Publick Seal of said Court, at Windham in said County this 23 rd day of October A.D. 1819
David Bolles

State of New York County of Erie ss.
I Peter M. Vosburgh Surrogate of the County of Erie at a surrogates court holden at Buffalo in and for said County do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said court that Mehitable Dunham widow of Elisha Dunham who was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States was at the time of her death on the roll of the Albany agency at the rate of sixty dollars per annum. that she was a resident of the County of Erie in the State of New York and died in the Town of Aurora in the County of Erie and State of New York in the year 1849 on the tenth day of September that she left only two surviving children whose names are Marvin Dunham & Asahel Dunham & that no administrator of the goods chattels & credits of said Mehitable Dunham deceased has ever been appointed.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Buffalo this 31 st day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred & fifty.
P. M. Vosburgh Surrogate.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
Claim for Military Service.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States,
the M rs William Gummam, deceased, who was the widow of William Gummam, was entitled to a pension under the act of 3 d January 1841, and having died on the 18 th September 1841, her children, M rs Mary Gummam and M rs Sarah Gummam, are entitled to the amount at the rate of ninety six dollars per annum from 1 st July 1841 to 18 th September 1841, when she died; deducting former payments at the rate of sixty dollars per annum.
Given at the Department of the Interior, this Second day of January one thousand eight hundred and forty-five one
Alex H. K. Stuart
Examined and Countersigned. }
Secretary of the Interior.
J. S. Evans
Acting
Commissioner of Pensions.

State of New York: On this twenty ninth day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine personally appeared before me the undersigned a Judge of Superior Court, Mahetabel Dunham a resident of the town of Huron in the county of Erie and State aforesaid who being duly sworn, doth in addition and a supplement to the Declaration, heretofore made of her bearing date the twenty seventh day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, (which declaration is now on file in the Pension Office of the United States in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July seventh 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows") say that she is the widow of Elisha Dunham a Revolutionary Pensioner deceased, That her name previous to her marriage to the said Elisha Dunham was Mahetabel Rice. That the name of the clergyman who officiated on that occasion was Daniel Welch and that she then resided in the town of Mansfield in the State of Connecticut.
Sworn & Subscribed before me
this 29 th March 1839
Mahetabel Dunham
Jonathan Hoyt a Judge of Erie Co. Courts
State of New York
Erie County ss: Adela Reed being duly sworn says that she now resides in the town of Huron in said county. That she is fifty years of age and has been well acquainted with Mahetabel Dunham who has subscribed to the above affidavit for thirty years past, and that she knew her when she lived in the state of Connecticut, and that she the said Mahetabel Dunham and Elisha Dunham lived together as husband and wife, and that she is the widow of Elisha Dunham now deceased and who drew a Pension in his life time for services rendered in the Revolutionary war.
Sworn before me this 29 th day of March 1839 - Jonathan Hoyt a Judge of Erie Co. Courts
Adela Reed

I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Adela Reed who has subscribed to the within Affidavit and that she sustains an excellent character and that the statements therein contained may be relied on as true.
Dated Aurora March 29 th 1839
Jonathan Hoyt a Judge of Erie Co. Courts
State of New York, County of Erie, ss.
I, Cyrus H. Anderson, Clerk of the County of Erie, and also Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, for said County, Do hereby certify, that Jonathan Hoyt Esq. whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument, and thereon written, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Judge of Erie County Courts
in and for the County aforesaid, dwelling in the said County, commissioned and sworn, and authorized to take the same. And, further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Judge and verify believe that the signature to the said Certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, the 1 st day of April A. D. 1839.
C. H. Anderson Clerk. By W. M. Padelford Dep

3975
M. Dunham
$60 per am
A. D. Gilbert Buffalo, N. York

State of New York } County of Erie } ss.
On this fifth day of September one thousand eight hundred and forty three personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Mehitable Durham a resident of Aurora in the County of Erie State of N. York aged Eighty Six years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3 d March, 1843. granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Elisha Durham who was a private in the Revolutionary Army, and she received Sixty dollars per annum under the act of July 7. 1838. and she further declares that she is still a widow. And I Harry Slade do certify that Mehitable Durham is personally known to me.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me.
Harry Slade J. P.
Mehitable Durham
State of New York } Erie County Clerks Office }
I Noah P. Sprague clerk of the County of Erie do hereby certify, that Harry Slade was, on the day of the date of the above certificate a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly appointed and qualified. that the signature above purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office and subscribed my name this fifth day of September 1843.
Noah P. Sprague Clerk

State of New York County of Erie ss: On this twenty eighth day of April A.D. Eighteen hundred & fifty nine personally appeared before the undersigned one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County Mehitable Dunham a resident of the town of Aurora in said County of Erie aged ninety two years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declara- tion in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed on the 2nd of February 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the War of the Re- volution. That she is the widow of Black Dunham who was a private in the Army of the United States during said Revolutionary War. That the annual amount of the pension which she received under the act of 17th June 1844 was sixty dollars she further de- clares that she is still a widow sworn to & subscribed on the day & year first above written | Mehitable Dunham
State of New York, } ss. Erie County Clerk's Office, }
I, MOSES BRISTOL, Clerk of said County, and of the Courts thereof, do hereby Certify, that W. P. Water Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the annexed affidavit , and thereon written, was at the time of  testifying the same, a Justice of the Peace duly elected sworn, and acting as such, and further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and verily believe the signature thereto to be his genuine signature.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court and County, this 25 day of May 1849.
Moses Bristol Clerk.

copy
April 5. 1879
Comm. of Pensions
Sir: I send you by Express 22 pension certificates which have been on file with me for many years. some who I know to be dead are so marked, and others I suppose to be. I know that several have not collected for the certificates who are dead and have not collected the balance due.
Some may have had claims made for new certificates, on the ground of the loss of their certificates. I used to loan to the poor, and have lent considerable.
Respy Yours. Samuel Lake.

House of Rep. Feby. 6. 1839.
Sir
I have the honor to enclose you a letter from Mr. Vanderpool, Willimantic, N.Y. making inquiry about the application of Mahetaba Dunham for a pension.
Will you please to give me the desired information.
Your Att. Servt.
William Pittmore
J. L. Edwards Esq. Pension office
Please to return Mr. V's. Letter.

Buffalo May 28 1849
Comm: of Pensions Washington
Sir
On the 12 th of Sept. last. we received addressed a letter to your office, in which we stated that Mrs. Michitable Dunham, widow of Elisha Dunham a soldier of the Revolution, had had her name inscribed upon the Pension Rolls and had drawn a pension in virtue of the late act, thru' the agency of the late Gen. Bout of this City. We also mentioned that we supposed that she was entitled to a continuance of her pension under an act of the first session of the last Congress, & requested to be informed whether it was so & as to the form of an application. We rec d . in reply a form for her deposition had her deposition made & attested & forwarded the same to your office. We were aware of the great pressure of business in your office & did not therefore make any enquiry in rela=

tion to the matter until just previous to the adjournment of the late session of Congress when we requested our friend Judge Hall (the member from this Co) to ascertain the state of our application. He did so & informed us upon his return home that the application or deposition had been mislaid & that it would be necessary to forward new ones.
We therefore enclose another deposition of Mrs. Overham, substantially in the same form as the former one & most earnestly request that it may have your early attention. Mrs. O. is in humble circumstances & the money is, we believe, essential to her comfort. If the papers are informal we shall feel obliged if you will point out the informality. We believe she is now entitled to a Year's pension.
Very Respectfully Yours & the Servants.
Salcock & Welch

Asa P. Pierce Esq. Millville P.O. Jan'y 14 1859
Dear Sir Some months since I received a good pension having in the case of Mrs Mary Estelle Dickson Widow of Philip Dickson deceased a Revolutionary pension to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act passed July 7 1858, entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows: She is much in need of the relief sought for and is desirous to know whether or not the half pay have been received. I beg you in her behalf to give me the desired information & much oblige Truly yours E. S. Richards (Esq.) E. P. Vanderpool

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2d, 1848, Mehitable Dunham widow of Elisha Dunham who was a Private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Sixty dollars and  cents per annum, commencing on the 4th of March, 1848, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.
Given at the Department of the Interior this 14 th day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty nine.
T. Manning
Secretary of the Interior.
Examined and Countersigned.
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Buffalo June 28. 1857 Jas E. Heath Esq Will
Sometrime last fall Marion Dunham gave a power of attorney to one William Johnson of Chenango Co in this state authorizing him to draw the back pension of his mother a pensioner of the U. S. named Mehitable Dunham. She was pensioned as the widow of Elisha Dunham a soldier of the war of the revolution.
Marion Dunham is the surviving child of the widow -
He wishes you to inform him whether the said Johnson has received the back pay of his mother as he has not been heard from since the power of attorney was given him.
If the money has not been paid over he wishes you to withhold it till further orders from him and give him full information by letter addressed to me here in relation to the whole matter how much money as back pay was due his mother under her certificate for annuity &c &c
Yours truly M c C. Strong

Buffalo July 10, 1829.
Com te of Pensions Washington Sir,
Mrs. Abigail Dan- ham, an aged & very respectable Widow in indigent Circumstances, is an applicant for a Continuance of her pension, granted to her as the Widow of a Revolutionary soldier which was continued by a late Act of Congress.
A deposition in the form prescribed by the Pension Office was forwarded by us about a year since, & after some time had elapsed we learned through Judge Hall, late M.C. from this District, that the papers had been mislaid . Immediately or as soon thereafter as it could be prepared, we procured & forwarded a new deposition which was mailed at this Post Office on the 28 th of May last & from which we have heard nothing.
Under the Circumstances we most urgently beg your attention to the subject, & that we may be advised of the present state of the application.
Respectfully &c
Babcock & Wales.

Chicago
Aug. 9 th 1893-
Pension Bureau:
Sir,
Would you be kind enough, to find in your record of Pensions of widows, of soldiers in the Revolution, the first name of the husband of Mehitabel Dunham who lived in the State of New York near Buffalo and drew a pension in the "thirties".
Her husband came from the State of Connecticut.
Any information which you could give would be most gratefully received -
Very Respectfully
Grace B Cross

Blue Aug 12 1893 } Stamp Red " 15 " }
1870 1756 12
1849 1737 12

I H P O. W. and N. Division.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., Sept , 189 3 .
Madam
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Elisha Dunham , a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 1776 12 m o Priv James Dana Andrew Ward Con   May 1777 9 " " do Ely Con   Lost sight of one eye by small pox in service  
Battles engaged in, Not stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Mansfield, Tolland County Con t
Date of application for pension, April 1818
Residence at date of application, New Haven, Addison Co ty
Age at date of application, 64 years & died in Jan'y 1828 at Poult Vt
Remarks: Moved to Vt in 1814. Married May 24, 1781 to Mehitable Royce who died Sept 10, 1849 at Aurora, Erie County N.Y.
Very respectfully,
M rs Grace B. Crops Chicago
ills
Commissioner.